Luke 22:31-34
Interposed His Precious Blood - Silver City Church
Sermon Overview
“Interposed His Precious Blood,” drawn from Luke 22:31-34, explores Christ’s intercession for His people, exemplified by His prayer for Peter amidst Satan’s sifting. The sermon illustrates interposition—standing between the vulnerable and harm—as a divine act, seen in Christ’s protection of Peter’s faith and His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Drawing parallels to historical figures like Frederick the Wise shielding Martin Luther, it emphasizes God’s sovereignty in using trials to refine believers. Christians are called to interpose through prayer and action for their families, church, and nation, reflecting Christ’s love. The message urges gratitude for Christ’s intercession, active engagement in prayer, and bold proclamation of the gospel, trusting in His finished work to preserve faith unto salvation.
Key Takeaways
In Luke 22:31, Satan demands to sift Peter like wheat, seeking to separate him from God. Yet, Christ interposes, praying that Peter’s faith not fail. This divine intercession ensures Peter’s restoration, showing that Christ’s prayers protect believers from spiritual destruction, even in their weakest moments.
Jesus foretells Peter’s denial but also his repentance (Luke 22:32). God uses Satan’s attack to strengthen Peter’s faith, commissioning him to encourage others. This reveals God’s sovereignty, turning trials into opportunities for growth and ministry, as believers extend grace received to others.
On the cross, Christ stands between sinners and God’s judgment, bearing the wrath we deserve. His intercession, as seen in Luke 22:32 and Romans 8:26, secures our salvation, offering assurance that our faith rests not on our strength but on His finished work.
Believers are urged to interpose through prayer and action for family, church, and nation, reflecting Christ’s example. Like Frederick the Wise protecting Luther, we must stand for the vulnerable, proclaim the gospel boldly, and trust God to use our efforts for His kingdom.
Weekly Devotional
Day 1: Christ’s Prayer for Us
Scripture: Luke 22:31-32
Devotional Idea: Rest in Christ’s intercession, which protects our faith against Satan’s attacks.
In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus prays for Peter as Satan seeks to sift him. This intercession ensures Peter’s faith endures despite his denial. Reflect on a time you felt spiritually attacked or tempted. How does knowing Christ prays for you strengthen your trust in Him? The sermon highlights that His interposition is our anchor, preserving us through trials. Consider how His prayers sustain you today, and thank Him for His unwavering commitment to your faith, even when you falter.
Day 2: Repentance and Restoration
Scripture: Luke 22:32
Devotional Idea: Embrace repentance as a path to restoration and ministry.
Jesus tells Peter, “When you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32). The sermon shows how God uses Peter’s failure to deepen his faith, commissioning him to encourage others. Reflect on a past mistake where God brought restoration. How did it shape your faith? This reveals God’s sovereignty, turning trials into opportunities for growth. Consider one way you can encourage someone struggling with sin this week, sharing the grace you’ve received. Ask God to guide your repentance and use it for His glory.
Day 3: Interposing for Others
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14
Devotional Idea: Actively interpose through prayer for those under your care.
The sermon calls us to interpose for family, church, and nation, as Christ does for us. 2 Chronicles 7:14 promises healing when God’s people pray humbly. Reflect on someone in your life needing prayer—family, friend, or nation. Are you interceding for them? The sermon urges persistent prayer, like George Mueller’s. Commit to praying daily for one person or issue this week, trusting God’s promises. Ask Him for a heart to interpose faithfully, reflecting Christ’s love.
Day 4: Christ’s Cross as Interposition
Scripture: Romans 8:26
Devotional Idea: Find assurance in Christ’s intercession on the cross for our salvation.
The sermon emphasizes Christ’s ultimate interposition, standing between sinners and God’s judgment on the cross. Romans 8:26 assures us the Spirit intercedes for us. Reflect on how Christ’s sacrifice secures your salvation. How does this truth comfort you in moments of doubt? His intercession is personal, as for Peter. Spend time today meditating on the cross’s cost, thanking God for His grace. Ask Him to deepen your assurance in His finished work.
Day 5: Bold Proclamation
Scripture: Ezekiel 33:6
Devotional Idea: Proclaim the gospel boldly, interposing for the lost.
Ezekiel 33:6 warns that failure to interpose brings judgment, while the sermon urges bold gospel proclamation. Reflect on opportunities to share Christ’s love with the lost. Have you hesitated to speak? The sermon challenges believers to stand against sin and proclaim truth. Identify one person to share the gospel with this week, perhaps through a conversation or invitation. Ask God for courage to interpose, reflecting Christ’s sacrifice, and trust Him to work through your words.
Reflection and Application Questions
- Reflection: How does Christ’s intercession for Peter in Luke 22:31-32 deepen your understanding of His personal care for your faith?
- Reflection: In what ways does the sermon’s call to interpose reflect God’s sovereignty in using trials for spiritual growth?
- Reflection: How do biblical examples of interposition (e.g., Moses, Phinehas) connect to Christ’s work on the cross?
- Application: Who in your life can you pray for daily this week, interposing for their spiritual needs?
- Application: What is one practical way you can interpose for your church or community, reflecting Christ’s love?
- Application: How can you boldly share the gospel with someone this week, standing in the breach as Christ did?
Scripture References and Cross-References
- Main Scripture: Luke 22:31-34
- Cross-References: Romans 8:26 (Spirit’s intercession), Philippians 1:6 (God’s completion of work), 2 Chronicles 7:14 (healing through prayer), Ezekiel 33:6 (watchman’s duty), Hebrews 6:17 (God’s oath), Luke 18:1 (persistent prayer), John 15:13 (laying down life for friends)
Westminster Confession Connection
Luke 22:31-34’s portrayal of Christ’s intercession for Peter aligns with the Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 17, which teaches the perseverance of the saints through God’s unchangeable decree and Christ’s mediation. The sermon’s focus on Christ’s prayer ensuring Peter’s faith reflects the assurance that believers, though tempted, are kept by God’s power (Chapter 17, Section 1). This interposition mirrors Christ’s work on the cross, securing salvation for His people. The call to interpose for others echoes the Confession’s emphasis on faith producing good works, urging believers to pray and act boldly, trusting in Christ’s sustaining grace.
Westminster Confession Citation
Chapter 17, Section 1: They, whom God has accepted in His Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by His Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved. [Scripture proofs: Philippians 1:6; 2 Peter 1:10; John 10:28-29; 1 John 3:9; 1 Peter 1:5, 9]
Catechism Connections
Shorter Catechism, Q. 36: What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification? The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end. [Scripture proofs: Romans 5:1-2, 5; Romans 14:17; Proverbs 4:18; 1 John 5:13; 1 Peter 1:5]
Larger Catechism, Q. 79: May not true believers, by reason of their imperfections, and the many temptations and sins they are overtaken with, fall away from the state of grace? True believers, by reason of the unchangeable love of God, and His decree and covenant to give them perseverance, their inseparable union with Christ, His continual intercession for them, and the Spirit and seed of God abiding in them, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. [Scripture proofs: Jeremiah 31:3; Hebrews 7:25; John 10:28; 1 John 3:9; 1 Peter 1:5]
-
Ramada Inn Conference Center